The president of El Salvador , Nayib Bukele, announced a few days ago through the X platform that the country has the densest gold deposits per square kilometer on the planet. This incredible wealth is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area known for its high volcanic activity and its enormous mineral wealth.
In his post, Bukele highlighted that the location of this “gigantic treasure” in El Salvador, one of the most volcanically active areas in the world, represents an unprecedented economic opportunity. According to the president, the gold deposits could radically transform the Salvadoran economy, making this discovery a central element of his proposal for economic reactivation.
Economic transformation for El Salvador
According to Bukele, the reserves in hidden treasures could exceed 8,800% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) , which would radically transform its economic panorama, marked by limited growth and social challenges such as the high level of poverty.
Despite these promises of prosperity, the government has also acknowledged the risks associated with mining . Large-scale mining poses environmental and social risks, especially in an area like the Ring of Fire, known for its volcanic activity and ecological fragility. The San Sebastian River, which has already suffered from pollution from past mining activities, remains a reminder of the dangers associated with mining activity, as mentioned by elsalvador.com .
Although Bukele’s proposal has been greeted with enthusiasm by some sectors that see in it a fast track to economic development, the path is not without obstacles. Environmental groups and local communities oppose the revival of mining, arguing that open-pit exploitation of resources could cause irreparable damage to the environment, particularly in sensitive areas such as the Department of Chalatenango, where there are already serious problems of water pollution.
Ban on mining in El Salvador
It is important to note that Bukele’s proposal comes up against a landmark law banning metal mining in El Salvador. In 2017, El Salvador banned metal mining due to environmental and social concerns. The Metal Mining Ban Law was passed in a context where communities and activists were denouncing environmental damage caused by the use of dangerous chemicals, such as cyanide and mercury , in mining activities. However, Bukele’s proposal to lift this ban could represent a drastic change in the country’s environmental policy.
Gold deposits and other riches in El Salvador
President Bukele has also highlighted that El Salvador not only possesses gold, but could also be rich in strategic minerals such as cobalt , lithium and nickel – vital resources for modern technology and the energy industry. These minerals are crucial for the ongoing technological revolution, especially in the production of batteries for electric vehicles and electronic devices.
If the magnitude of the deposits is confirmed and responsible mining is implemented, El Salvador could become a key player in the global minerals industry.
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Source: Nayib Bukele via X
Photo: shutterstock
